Trump orders U.S. attack on Venezuela, President Maduro and his wife captured

The U.S. military launched a reported strike against Venezuela early Saturday, according to CNN. President Donald Trump said U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Venezuela responded by declaring a national emergency.

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VENEZUELA - CNN reported at 1:50 a.m. local time Saturday that the United States military had launched an attack on Venezuela at the behest of the President, apparently without Congressional approval.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social account, President Donald Trump wrote that the U.S. initiated a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and “captured its leader, President Nicolas Maduro,” along with his wife.

Here is the statement from Truth Social in full:

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.

“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Venezuela went into a state of national emergency and asked for help from allies and neighboring countries to repel what it described as an American invasion.

Long-serving President Nicolas Maduro was captured by U.S. special forces and flown out of the country. The invasion follows months of accusations from the Trump administration, which has pressured Maduro over allegations of drug running and questions surrounding the legitimacy of his administration.

The United States has not undertaken such a direct intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama to depose military leader Manuel Noriega over similar allegations.

The White House announced that the president would issue a statement to the press later this morning at 11 a.m. Eastern time.

Below are some of the initial reactions from X.

The White House is confirming U.S. military operations in Venezuela tonight. Let us be clear: these strikes are illegal. The President does not have the authority to declare war or undertake large-scale military operations without Congress. Congress must act to rein him in.… pic.twitter.com/KsbxS6TbSp

— Rep. Melanie Stansbury (@Rep_Stansbury) January 3, 2026

President Donald Trump has claimed that the US carried out a 'large-scale strike' against Venezuela and captured its leader, President Nicolas Maduro. The abduction of a foreign leader by another state is a serious violation of international law. pic.twitter.com/oSz3sqBCuL

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 3, 2026

Os Estados Unidos atacaram Caracas, capital da Venezuela, nesta madrugada. A ofensiva militar do governo de Donald Trump também atingiu instalações os estados de Miranda, Aragua e La Guaíra. Nas redes sociais, o presidente americano anunciou a captura de Nicolás Maduro e sua… pic.twitter.com/HeW58OHcRB

— Claudio Dantas (@claudio_dantas_) January 3, 2026

🚨 Chris Murphy when asked about possible military strikes on Venezuela: "It's pretty clear it's just an effort to distract people from the rising prices and the Epstein scandal. No one wants a war with Venezuela ... and by the way, it's wildly illegal."

pic.twitter.com/ZehAbmhnoF

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) January 3, 2026

Gravíssimos os ataques dos Estados Unidos contra a Venezuela. Bombardearam o país e capturaram Nicolás Maduro. Trata-se de um ataque inaceitável à soberania do povo venezuelano e de toda a América Latina.

Trump já deixou claro: quer as reservas de petróleo da Venezuela, não tem… pic.twitter.com/rMmHHfC3YC

— Talíria Petrone (@taliriapetrone) January 3, 2026

The US is bombing Venezuela in an actual unprovoked attack. Many excuses will be given over the next days: Narco-terrorism; Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran and others "operating" in Venezuela; democracy promotion backed by the Nobel Peace Prize etc. pic.twitter.com/qhiVq0OOZu

— Glenn Diesen (@Glenn_Diesen) January 3, 2026

Donald Trump has launched a US war on Venezuela, with the US military bombing the capital Caracas.

I totally condemn this illegal attack on a sovereign nation.

As with the war on Iraq, Trump's regime change is about control of Venezuela’s oil - the largest reserves in the… pic.twitter.com/KMQ2uknRrS

— Richard Burgon MP (@RichardBurgon) January 3, 2026